Summer Holiday Essentials

The beauty desk is empty this week as I'm on my summer holiday
at my family home in the Alps in France. Swimming in Evian-style
water at Lake Annecy does wonders for the skin, but the sun is
strong and mischievous so I'll be loading up on the following
holiday essentials:

- Beach SPF: I like to take a selection, from 30
to 15 for the last few days once my skin has got accustomed to the
sun. Brands I have packed are Clarins, Estee Lauder, Sisley and
Vichy - which all smell divine. I really believe suncare should be
an investment, not a chore, and should be applied generously in
copious amounts. As Mr Gordon Gekko once said: 'Greed is Good!' and
this definitely applies to suncare.

- Cycling SPF: Cycling around the lake is one of
my favourite pastimes, but the breeze and shady trees can trick you
into forgetting to re-apply SPF. My secret weapon is UltraSun
once-a-day formula. It comes in SPF 50, 30 or 20, and I can assure
you one single application will protect you (even from spontaneous
lake plunges!)

- Hydrating mask: After a day in the sun, pre
rosé 'o'clock, I try to catch a 10-minute snooze in my bedroom with
a cooling quenching face mask. In my washbag this year is Darphin
Hydrating Kiwi Mask. Such a treat.

- Aftersun: Is there anything more indulgent than
applying body cream without anyone or anything trying to rush you
out of the bathroom? That's what holidays are all about for me, and
this year my me-time aftersun is Clarins' Ultra-Hydrating After Sun
Moisturiser. Yum!

Skin sorted, these are the little extras I'll be parading sur
la plage:

- Lipstick: I know, right! Who wears lipstick to
the beach? It's SO not my thing, but this year I'm experimenting
with a bare face, lightly mascara'd lashes and a pop of coral
lipstick, namely Tom Ford's decadent True Coral (which by the way
matches identically to Bourjois' No Chip nail polish in shade
16).

- And on that topic, LOADS of nail polishes:
Another du Parcq holiday ritual, I absolutely love painting my
nails at the beach and I have a stash of hot tropical yellows,
oranges and pinks by my favourite brands Chanel, OPI, Revlon and
Andrea Fulerton.

Bon Voyage!

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